Wheaton College vs. Carleton College

Wheaton College and Carleton College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Wheaton College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 87.4%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $31,356 at Wheaton College.
  • Graduation: Wheaton College 87% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wheaton College $54,300 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Wheaton College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Wheaton College87.4%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Wheaton College1260-1470
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Carleton College $3,309 less
Wheaton College$31,356
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Wheaton College $23,346 less
Wheaton College$45,546
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Wheaton College $23,346 less
Wheaton College$45,546
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +6 pts
Wheaton College87%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$11,300
Wheaton College$54,300
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Wheaton College 2,040
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Wheaton College 1,783
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wheaton College 87.4%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wheaton College 29.9%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wheaton College 1370
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wheaton College 30
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wheaton College 3.75
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wheaton College A-
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Wheaton College Very High
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Wheaton College
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Wheaton College 1260-1470
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Wheaton College 28-32
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Wheaton College Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wheaton College $45,546
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wheaton College $45,546
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Wheaton College $13,010
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Wheaton College $31,356
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Wheaton College $27,987
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wheaton College 98%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wheaton College 87%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wheaton College $54,300
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wheaton College 90%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wheaton College $22,500
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Wheaton College $232
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wheaton College 10:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wheaton College
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Business (8%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Wheaton College Wheaton, IL
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Wheaton College Large Suburban
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Wheaton College 2,874
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Wheaton College Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wheaton College #146
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Wheaton College is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 26% lower than at Carleton College ($13,010 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 51.3% higher at Carleton College than at Wheaton College (about $23,346 more per year; $68,892 vs. $45,546).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Carleton College (98% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 103.1% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($56,846 vs. $27,987).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Carleton College than at Wheaton College (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wheaton College and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Wheaton College (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($201 vs. $232).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wheaton College students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 90%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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